Can-labeling machine.



O. 0. KING.

CAN LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22,1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

awvmtoz 0.. WASHINGTON D c O. 0. KING.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22,1912.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

O. 0. KING.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE22,1912.

1 76,043 v Patented Oct; 21, 1913..

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIfiE.

OTTO C. KING, OF MEDFORD, OREGON.

CAN-LABELING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, OTTO C. KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Medford, in the county, of Jackson, State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Labeling Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in can labeling machines and has particular application to a mechanism adapted to automatically apply labels to cans and other cylindrical containers.

In carrying out my invention, it is my purpose to provide a machine whereby the labels may be quickly, neatly and accurately pasted onto the cans as they pass through the machine.

I also aim to provide a can labeling machine wherein the parts are capable of such adjustment that cans of various sizes and dimensions may be labeled by the same machine, and furthermore, such labeling operation will be entirely automatic.

With the above recited objects and others of a similar nature in view, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts set forth in and falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in all the views, and Figure l is a view in side elevation of a can labeling machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. l is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 4L-l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the paste applying device of the machine. 8 is a detail perspective view showing in detail the brush mechanism at the farther end of the machine and its connection for operating the label support. Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 2.

In the present instance, I have illustrated and described a machine embodying a preferred form of my invention, although I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 22, 1912.

Patented Oct. 21,1913.

Serial No. 705,314.

Wish to be understood that I do not limit myself to all the precise details of construction which I herein set forth by Way of illustration.

Briefly stated, the machine herein embodies among other features a track-way or run-way along which the can travels, a

device for applying paste to the can prior to the latter taking the label, a label support in the path of travel of the can, a second paste applying device adapted to place the paste at the overlapping end of the label, a brush for sealing the overlapping label end, and finally a brush element at the delivery end of the track-way or run-way adapted to smooth the label upon the can, this last mentioned element having a connection with a member adapted to actuate means connected with the label support to move the latter step by step,that is to elevate the same to bring the labels into proper position.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the letter A indicates my device as an entirety, the latter having legs or supports 1 carrying the side members 2 of the frame which side members are connected at suitable intervals by the cross bars 3. Mounted upon the frame thus formed isa track-way or run-way formed of the rails 4; and 5, each rail being constructed of a piece of angle iron. This track-way as will be seen is really divided into three sections which we may designate as section a, section b and section 0. The section a is thereceiving end of the machine and slopes or inclines downwardly until it joins the section b which is approximately horizontal and in turn joins or merges with the sloping or inclined delivery section 0. The track-rail 4 is fastened permanently and solidly to the adjacent side of the frame, while the track-rail 5 is adjustably secured to the braces 3, so that it may be moved or shifted laterally from right to left, or vice versa by the bolts holding it'to the braces. This allows the distance between the two rails of the track to be adjusted to accommodate cams ofvarying width. Furthermore, this track-rail 5 is provided at the section b, or at that portion lying at the label supporting part of the machine with an inwardly extending or laterally projecting strip 6 beveled at its ends, which strip projecting as it does, in the path of the traveling can, guides or directs the latter endwise and crowds such can over against the opposite track rail 4, the latter away as shown at 7 to insure that the label will be properly applied to the can.

As the cans roll down the first or track section a,

they are supplied with paste as they pass the paste applying device designated as an i entirety by the numeral 8 which is located in the path of the moving cans. This applying device 8 comprises a paste pan or receptacle 9 mounted to slide on guides or supports 10 located at the inner sides of the frame, said pan being held in any adjusted position along the guide-ways by means of a set screw 11, or other fastening support. The top edges of the receptacle carry the bearings 12 which are oppositely disposed and receive the rotating rod 13. This rod extends the full width of the pan and carries adjacent at one end. thereof the double spoke 13 which is secured stationary to the rod, while 1 L indicates asecond double spoke adapted to be inserted through any one of the series of apertures 15 in the rod, so that the distance of the adjustable double spoke from the stationary double spoke may be varied. The alining ends of the spokes are designed to be joined by the paste applying blades or straps 16. It will thus be seen that the paste applying wheel is formed by the spokes and the blades, and furthermore, that the wheel may be constructed to be adjusted to accommodate cans of various widths, this being accomplished by removing one set of straps or blades 16, adjusting the movable double spoke 16 and then substituting other blades or straps of suitable width, or if desired, the blades 16 themselves may be of adjustable sections. It is desirable to apply the paste as nearly the full lengths of the cans as possible, and in order to do this, it is necessary that the paste applying blades be nearly as wide as the cans to fit smoothly along the latter as it passes and wipes the paste off the blades. Furthermore, the blades should be arranged at such an angle as not to throw or splash the paste as the cans pass. This is readily accomplished inasmuch as the can does not have sutlicient momentum to splash, if the end piece is properly adjusted, and at the same time, the paste wheel supplies sull'icient paste for the cans to pick up the labels. After the can has passed the paste applying device 8, it rolls onto the section b' of the track or runway, constructed as heretofore described, and picks up a label from the stack of labels carried by the label support or table.

' The label supporting portion of the machine comprises a platform or table located beneath the traction section Z) of the machine, said platform being made of the two side strips 17 and 18 connected to the end cross bar 19, the strip 18 being adjustable to and from the strip 17 by means of the bolts 20 fitting into the apertures 21. so that labels of various widths may be accommocatcd. This base or platform is carried by the cross bar arranged centrally thereof, and secured to the top of the screw rod 23. This vertically disposed screw rod extends down through the plate or castin Q-Zt connectcd to the frame of the machine, while 25 designates a cog or ratchet wheel. or disk for moving the rod vertically, the hub 26 of the disk seating in the socket :27 in the plate or casting. This ratchet wheel or disk is operated as hereinafter described. A board or plate 28 placed upon the top of the frame of the label. carrying platform. This board is preferably curved to allow the upper ends of the labels to lie flat as possible parallel with the track, while at the same time, 'iermitting the lower end of the label to drop sutliciently for the sponge and paste tube hereinafter mentioned to lie between the labels and lower side of the track-way.

52S.)-2S indicate retaining clips at the lower end of the label base or platform for preventing the labels sliding any farther down than to their proper position.

The label support or base is preferably incased by means of heavy tin walls arranged at the sides thereof. The wall 30 is fastened securely to the adjacent side of the machine, while the wall 81 is adjustably supported on the braces 32-32. The wall at both sides should be capable of snugly fitting against the labels to maintain the latter properly stacked in order to bring it in proper position for application to the cans. These walls should be of sufficient height to be approximately on the level with the top inside portions of the track, and when so arranged, it will guide the labels accurately and exactly to be properly taken up by the can as it rolls over the track section I).

After the can has picked up a label, it passes onto the device for applying paste to and sealing the over-lapping ends of the label. This comprises a paste containing receptacle 83 located to one side of the trackway out of the path of the traveling can and having a laterally extending paste conducting pipe 84 extending transversely of the track-way and having projecting therefrom the short tubes 35 carrying at their upper ends a perforated length of pipe 36 carrying the sponge or other paste supplying material 3,7.

38 are screw valves for regulating the flow of the paste to the perforated pipe and consequently to the sponge.

As the can rolls past the paste supplying device, the paste is applied to the end of the label and as the can makes its first revolution after the paste has been applied to the end it passes beneath the brush 38 which wipes off any excess paste and smooths the label to its proper place. The can then rolls down the inclined or delivery section 0 of the track. Located at each side of this delivery section is a vertical standard 39 having a series of apertures formed therein'and pins 40 by means of which each standard may be adjusted vertically to raise and lower each standard if deemed necessary. Journaled in the top ends of the standards is a locking cross bar 41 to one end of which is attached a crank lever arm 42, the, short section of said arm having a series of perforations 43 therein.

The numeral 44 indicates a rod having one end fastened to the short section of the crank lever arm42 by means of the pin 45, said pin being designed to be inserted in one of the perforations 43 in the arm, the opposite end of said rod being connected as at 46 with a relatively heavy pawl or operating member 47 which is adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel or disk 25 to move the lat ter step by step when the rocking bar 41 is actuated.

The numeral 48 indicates a brush extending transversely of the track-way and connected by the arms 49 with the rocking-bar 41. As the can rolls down the delivery section 0 it contacts with the brush 48 which removes any surplus paste which might adhere to the outside of the label. At the same time that it strikes this brush, it raises the same, thus rocking the shaft and causing the rod 44 to be actuated, thus allowing the dog to turn the ratchet wheel one step and thereby to slightly turn the shaft 23 to elevate the label carrying plat-form. By such a construction, the package of labels is always held in proper position so that the top one may be taken up by the rolling can. The can is then delivered by the inclined position to a suitable point of deposit.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and manner of employing my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Briefly the cans start down the incline section a, receive paste from the paste applying device 9, pass over and take the labels from the label platform or support, which labels have paste applied at the overlapping ends and are then sealed and smoothed by the brush 38. Rolling down the incline section 0 the cans now pass the brush 48, having the surplus paste wiped from the labels and at the same time, actuate the connections for elevating the label platform. The cans are then de- -livered to any suitable point.

It will be noted that I have provided an exceedingly simple, convenient and effective mechanism by means of which the labels may be rapidly, continuously and accurately applied to the cans.

\Vhile I have herein shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention,

I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to all the precise details of construction herein set forth, as modification and variation may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionor exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

WVhat I claim is:

1. The combinationwith a frame having a track formed of two inclined sections and an intermediate track, of means for. supplying-paste to a can passing to the intermediate section, label supporting means at the intermediate section, means for supplying paste to the over-lapping ends of the labels, a brush, and connections between the brush and the label supporting means for actuating the latter to bring the labels into position relative to the cans.

2. The combination with a frame'having a track-way, of means for supplying paste to a can traveling along the track-way, a movable label carrying device arranged be yond the paste applying means, a brush and connections between the brush and the label carrying device for moving the latter to bring the label in position to be applied to the can.

3. The combination with a frame, of a track-way therefor along which the cans are adapted to travel, a device for applying paste to the cans, a label support for the labels, means for applying paste to the ends of the labels after they have been wrapped upon the cans, said means including a paste containing receptacle, and paste applying element supplied from the receptacle, a wiping and sealing brush arranged adjacent to the paste supplying element, a movable member for removing the surplus paste from the label, and means for reciprocating the label support.

4. The combination with a supporting frame, of a track-way thereon comprising a permanent rail and an adjustable rail, a label support arranged adjacent to the trackway, an inwardly extending guide membercarried by the adjustable rail above the label support for directing the cans to label receiving position, means for applying paste to the cans prior to the cans reaching the label support, and means for sealing the labels upon the cans after they pass the label support.

5. The combination with a frame of an inclined track-way, and a label support arranged beneath the track, a rocking bar arranged beyond the label support, a brush connected to the rocking bar and adapted to contact with the moving cans after they have been labeled, a rod carrying the label support, a ratchet wheel or disk engaging said rod, a pawl for actuating said ratchet,

' and a connecting rod extending between the pawl and the rocking bar. 7

6. The combination with a frame, of a mwm track-Way for cans to be labeled, a label paste holding material carried by the persupport from which the labels are taken by forated tube. 10 the moving cans and a paste applying de- In testimony whereof, I affix my signavice for applying paste to the ends of the ture, inypresence of two Witnesses.

labels comprising a receptacle, a plate ex- QTTQ C. KING. tending therefrom, short sections of tubing VVitnesseS:

carried by said pipe, and a perforated tube GEORGE REE s,

carried by the short tubular sections, and T. S. DUEUL.

\Zopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing; the Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtgn, D. G.- 

